NEW DELHI: United States President Donald Trump may attend the next year's Republic Day parade as Chief Guest and a formal invitation regarding the same has been sent to the White House by the Narendra Modi government, claim reports.

According to a ToI report, the NDA government, which is awaiting a formal confirmation from the Capitol Hills, is likely to showcase this as one of the biggest highlights of its foreign policy.

The report further indicates that the US Administration of President Donald Trump is looking favourably at the invitation sent by the Narendra Modi government.

The invitation to White House was sent in April, which followed a series of diplomatic meetings between the two sides, it said.

It is to be noted that Trump's predecessor Barack Obama had graced the Republic Day event in 2015 as Chief Guest.

However, if Trump chooses to come to India for the next year's R-Day parade, it will be a big shot in the arm for the Narendra Modi government, which is eyeing a second term.

The report about the Government of India inviting Trump to the next year's R-Day parade comes at a time when serious differences have grown up between the two powerful countries over a wide range of issues, including trade tariffs, US reluctance to acknowledge India’s close energy and historical ties with Iran and New Delhi's proposed deal for purchase of S-400 missile defence system from ...